The verdict on the murder case of Noor Mukadam has finally been handed down and the wait is over. A sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday sentenced primary suspect Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam.
Zahir’s household staff Iftikhar and Jameel, who were co-accused in the case, were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Meanwhile, all others, including Zahir’s parents and TherapyWorks employees, were acquitted.
Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict, which was reserved on Tuesday following months of hearings. Zahir, his father Zakir Jaffer, mother Asmat Adamjee, and other suspects were present in the court when the verdict was announced.
Noor Mukadam’s father hails the verdict
Noor’s father Shaukat Mukadam hailed the court’s verdict and thanked the media for keeping the matter “alive”. “An exemplary punishment has been given to the primary accused,” he said while speaking to the media outside the court. He termed the verdict as a “victory” for the court and justice.
“Everyone was praying [for justice]. The whole nation and world were with us,” he added. Ahead of the verdict today, Zahir was brought to the court along with the other co-accused — Zakir Jaffer (Zahir’s father), Iftikhar (watchman), and Jan Mohammad (gardener).
The lawyers, plaintiff Shaukat and other co-accused who are out on bail, including Therapy Works employees and Zahir’s mother Asmat Adamjee, also arrived at the court. The lawyers, plaintiff Shaukat and other co-accused who are out on bail, including Therapy Works employees and Zahir’s mother Asmat Adamjee, also arrived at the court.
Earlier developments
After the court marked the attendance of Therapy Works employees, the judge ordered for the courtroom to be emptied, saying he needed to speak to the defendants. The quartet of detained accused, including Zahir, was later sent back from the court once the judge was done with them.
At the previous hearing, the investigation officer told the trial court that in the forensic report, fingerprints of Zahir were not found on the weapon recovered from the crime scene. Nor did his pants contain bloodstains at the time of his arrest. The court also declared in-camera proceedings to run CCTV footage in the courtroom.
The verdict comes two weeks after the prime suspect told the trial court that he did not kill the 27-year-old girl and had only been implicated in the case because it happened at his residence. Not only that but he also accused Noor’s father of killing her.
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